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1 – 8 of 8Maria João Reis Lima, Luisa Fontes, Hamdi Bahri, Ana C.A. Veloso, Edite Teixeira-Lemos and António M. Peres
This study aims to determine the physicochemical and fatty acids composition of Serra da Estrela cheese (SEC), as well as health-related lipid indices, like the atherogenic and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the physicochemical and fatty acids composition of Serra da Estrela cheese (SEC), as well as health-related lipid indices, like the atherogenic and thrombogenic indices, and to evaluate the influence of producer, geographical origin and production date.
Design/methodology/approach
All 24 SEC produced between November 2017 and March 2018 were collected at selected certified producers and analyzed by NIR spectrophotometer and by GC. Data were statistically evaluated by chemometric tools.
Findings
In all evaluated SEC, 23 fatty acids were quantified. Cheese origin influenced nutritional and health-related lipid indices). The cheeses were characterized by a relative high abundance of saturated fatty acids (67-76%), followed by a medium content of monounsaturated fatty acids (17-25%) and by low level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (5-7%). A putative positive association between cheese consumption and healthy lipid indices could be reached.
Practical implications
The contents of some medium and long chain fatty acids as well as of nutritional and health indices were influenced by cheese producer, geographical origin and production date pointing out the need for standardizing production procedures.
Social implications
The SEC plays a key role in the local economy, being an endogenous product with unique sensory characteristics and nutritional potential, for which the knowledge of the lipids profile and health indices is of utmost relevance.
Originality/value
SEC is an iconic Portuguese cheese with Protected Designation of Origin. Based on the results, like health-related lipid indices, evaluated for the first time, a positive association between cheese consumption and healthy lipid indices could be envisaged.
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Luísa Helena Pinto and Helena Salgueirinho Maia
The purpose of this paper is to examine the narratives of the work-life interface (WLI) of Portuguese international business travelers.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to examine the narratives of the work-life interface (WLI) of Portuguese international business travelers.
Design/methodology/approach
Semi-structured interviews with 14 Portuguese international business travelers were conducted to expose the narratives of the WLI in terms of demands, resources, and coping and how these work-life events shape work-identity.
Findings
The findings show that: work-life events are interconnected and are sources of conflict and enrichment; work-life boundaries are personally managed and socially enacted; and WLI shapes work-identity. The analysis shows that occupational travel can be both a source of positive self-regard and fulfillment that entails high work-identity and low boundary control or a source of conflict and identity threat. In either case, work-life coping is devised to prompt self-worth.
Originality/value
Following the findings from this exploratory study, several research propositions are outlined for international business travelers, highlighting the interactions between work-life centrality, work-life boundary management and work-identity. In extending the work-life research to international business travelers this study reveals the extent to which the advancement of work-life research benefits from the theoretical and empirical contributions of the literature on work-identity.
Propósito/objetivo
Este estudo exploratório examina as narrativas dos viajantes de negócios internacionais quanto ao interface trabalho-vida pessoal.
Metodologia
Foram efetuadas catorze entrevistas semiestruturadas a viajantes de negócios internacionais portugueses com o objetivo de expor as suas narrativas de interface trabalho-vida pessoal, em termos de exigências, recursos e estratégias para lidarem com estes eventos. Adicionalmente examinou-se como os eventos relacionados com o trabalho e vida pessoal moldam a identidade profissional destes viajantes frequentes.
Resultados
Os resultados demonstram que: (1) os eventos relacionados com o trabalho e a vida pessoal estão interrelacionados e são fonte de conflito e enriquecimento; (2) as fronteiras entre o trabalho e a vida pessoal são geridas individualmente mas são ditadas socialmente; e (3) o interface trabalho-vida pessoal molda a identidade no trabalho destes viajantes internacionais. A análise revela que as viagens de trabalho frequentes podem ser fonte de autoestima e satisfação, associada a uma forte identidade profissional, assim como podem ser fonte de conflito e de ameaça a essa mesma identidade. Em qualquer dos casos, os indivíduos inquiridos acionaram estratégias para lidarem com os eventos de ambos os domínios que visam elevar a sua autoestima e identidade.
Originalidade/valor
Os resultados deste estudo permitem avançar várias proposições para investigação futura, salientando as interações entre a centralidade do trabalho e/ou da vida pessoal, a gestão das fronteiras entre estes domínios e a construção da identidade. Ao estudar o interface entre o trabalho e a vida pessoal dos viajantes frequentes, este estudo contribui para o avanço da investigação neste domínio ao revelar os benefícios de explorar as contribuições teóricas e práticas da literatura sobre a identidade associada ao trabalho.
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Rosa Rodrigues, Ana Junça-Silva, Cláudia Lopes and Diogo Espírito-Santo
This study relied on the affective events theory to test the mediating role of the ratio of emotions in the relationship between employees' perceived leadership effectiveness and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study relied on the affective events theory to test the mediating role of the ratio of emotions in the relationship between employees' perceived leadership effectiveness and their well-being at work.
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative methodology was used, based on a deductive approach of a transversal nature. Data were collected from a convenience sample consisting of 255 working adults.
Findings
Structural equation modeling results demonstrated that perceived leadership effectiveness positively influenced well-being and the ratio of emotions, showing that when employees perceived their leader as effective, they tended to experience more positive emotions and less negative ones (as indicated by a positive ratio). Furthermore, the results supported the hypothesis that perceived leadership effectiveness influenced well-being through increases in the ratio of emotions.
Research limitations/implications
The nature of the sample makes it impossible to generalize the results. Also, the fact that the questionnaires were self-reported may have biased the results because only the employees' perception of the variables under study was known.
Practical implications
This study highlights the fact that perceived leadership effectiveness can be seen as an affective event that triggers positive and negative emotional responses at work, which, in turn, will have an impact on employee well-being.
Originality/value
An effective leadership style has been shown to be pivotal in reducing the prevalence of negative emotions within a team. When leaders foster a welcoming work environment where team members enjoy their roles, it often results in heightened positive emotions and overall well-being.
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Marina Dias de Faria and Leticia Moreira Casotti
Consumers with Down syndrome are present in all countries, but there has been little marketing research examining their consumption experiences. The purpose of this exploratory…
Abstract
Purpose
Consumers with Down syndrome are present in all countries, but there has been little marketing research examining their consumption experiences. The purpose of this exploratory investigation is the analysis of the consumption meanings and practices of Down syndrome adults from their own point of view and from their families’ perspectives.
Design/methodology/approach
Data was drawn from 44 narratives interviews that included families'stories, description of album photos and projective techniques.
Findings
The research shows from the families’ perspectives how barriers to consumption prevent Down syndrome adults from becoming agentic consumers. The findings reveal the “labels” associated with the vulnerability of people with Down syndrome and their families in their market experiences.
Research limitations/implications
Research is limited to a single country and location and is focused on a specific group of overlooked consumers. We encourage the expansion of the research to a wider group and different locations.
Practical implications
The research identifies barriers to social inclusion that can support public policy and marketing manangement that contribute to a more humanistic marketing.
Originality/value
The research presents narratives of adults with Down syndrome, their mothers and siblings. The findings contribute to a comprehension about the welfare of this traditionally neglected, vulnerable group of consumers, which is useful for consumers, Down syndrome people and their families, marketing managers and public policymakers.
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Carlos Francisco Alves and Ana Luísa Silva
Investor relations literature reports that after an era that “the higher the stock price, the better”, currently investor relations entered into a new era where “overvaluation is…
Abstract
Purpose
Investor relations literature reports that after an era that “the higher the stock price, the better”, currently investor relations entered into a new era where “overvaluation is perhaps as bad as undervaluation” (Laskin, 2018a, p. 19). This paper searches for evidence on whether news coverage around abnormal returns indicates that corporate communication effectively seek fair value prices.
Design/methodology/approach
Using data of the Portuguese market, it investigates if the news coverage and the investor relations' influence on such coverage (namely as a source of the news) are symmetrical before and after extreme abnormal positive or negative returns. This paper uses event study methodology, performs content analysis and applies statistical and econometric analyses.
Findings
The findings are consistent with the idea that companies communicate differently in face of positive and negative abnormal returns. Particularly, before the event, companies are more frequently cited as a source of the news for positive events. This indicates that companies seek to capitalize the positive impact of the favourable subsequent disclosures. After the occurrence of abnormal returns, companies are more often a source of the news for negative cases, seeking to mitigate their impact. Additionally, after negative events companies are more frequently mentioned in the news with a positive content than they are mentioned before.
Social implications
The new approach of this study allows the companies' information stakeholders (namely investors and regulators) to become more informed and critical in the analysis of news coverage and its sources.
Originality/value
As far as the authors of the paper know, this is the first study that addresses the question of eventual asymmetric behaviour of companies’ communication in face of positive and negative abnormal returns.
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Anabel Renteria, Luisa F. Garcia, Jorge A. Diaz, Luis C. Delfin, Jaime E. Regis, Elizabeth I. Reza, David Espalin, Tzu-Liang Bill Tseng and Yirong Lin
The purpose of this study is to evaluate different 3D structures for humidity sensing that will enable the fabrication of complex geometries with high moisture sensitivity.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to evaluate different 3D structures for humidity sensing that will enable the fabrication of complex geometries with high moisture sensitivity.
Design/methodology/approach
Humidity sensors based on alumina ceramics were fabricated using direct ink write (DIW) technique. Different engineered surface area, polymer binder ratio and post-processing treatment were considered to increase moisture sensitivity.
Findings
It was found that the binder ratio plays an important role in controlling the rheology of the paste during printing and determining the pore size after post-processing treatment. The sensibility of the fabricated humidity sensor was investigated by measuring its capacitance response toward relative humidity (RH) varying from 40% to 90% RH at 25°C. It is shown that using 3D lattice design, printed alumina humidity sensor could improve sensitivity up to 31.6 pF/RH%, over an order of magnitude higher than solid alumina.
Originality/value
Most of the alumina humidity sensors available are films in nature because of manufacturing difficulties, which limited its potential of higher sensitivity, and thus broader applications. In this paper, a novel 3D alumina humidity sensor was fabricated using DIW 3D printing technology.
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Miroslav Horák, Kristina Somerlikova, Rita Kocarova, Nahanga Verter, Hector Santiago Aldama Gonzalez and Mariah Cruz de Souza Tronco
This paper aims to explore the effective factors that influence the treatment of drug addiction in therapeutic communities (TCs) and to determine its essential elements in the…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore the effective factors that influence the treatment of drug addiction in therapeutic communities (TCs) and to determine its essential elements in the Peruvian, Nicaraguan and Czech context.
Design/methodology/approach
The qualitative data were collected during semi-structured interviews with inpatients/clients of seven TCs based in Peru (Takiwasi), Nicaragua (Centro de Especialiades en Adicciones, Centro de Rehabilitación del Alcohólico y Adicto a Otras Drogas and Albergue de Miembros Adictos en Recuperación) and the Czech Republic (Renarkon, Sejrek and Kladno-Dubi). All 90 interviews were manually transcribed, and content analysis was performed. Codes were created using the grounded theory method.
Findings
The effective factors of TC, treatment in Peru, Nicaragua and Czechia are identical in conditions such as the presence of a personal therapist, the use of psychotherapy and the importance of group cohesion. In Peru, the administration of medicinal plants and diet was perceived as a principal part of the treatment. Nicaraguan TCs were specific for practicing 12 steps. In Czechia, an emphasis is put on the therapeutic program, workshops and leisure activities. Spirituality and religion play a main role in the Peruvian and Nicaraguan TCs only.
Originality/value
The current study presents a unique insight into the factors considered effective by inpatients/clients of TCs in different socio-cultural contexts.
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Miguel R. Olivas‐Luján, Silvia Inés Monserrat, Jaime A. Ruiz‐Gutierrez, Regina A. Greenwood, Sergio Madero Go´mez, Edward F. Murphy and Neusa Maria Bastos F. Santos
The purpose of this paper is to report results from an exploratory, empirical research study that describes personal values and attitudes toward women, two themes that strongly…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report results from an exploratory, empirical research study that describes personal values and attitudes toward women, two themes that strongly impact employment relations and a wide variety of management issues.
Design/methodology/approach
Well‐established measures for the major themes for this paper were used in constructing a questionnaire. Data collection instruments were vetted for content, translated and back‐translated, and applied by native researchers, who also contributed local expertise to the paper.
Findings
Female respondents across all four countries were more egalitarian in their attitudes towards women in the workforce than were men. Additionally, Colombian respondents had more egalitarian attitudes towards women scores, followed by Brazilians and Argentineans; Mexicans exhibited the least egalitarian attitudes toward women.
Originality/value
This is the first empirical study that links two well‐validated constructs (personal values and attitudes toward women) in samples from the largest Latin American countries.
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